Biography

Having been dubbed ‘The Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century’ by Sports Illustrated, Jackie Joyner Kersee’s athletic accomplishments are literally second to none. By the conclusion of her career in the heptathlon and long jump events she had amassed six Olympic medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) and four World Champion titles over four consecutive Olympic Games. Jackie was the first woman in history to earn more than 7,000 points in the heptathlon and today, over 20 years later, she still holds the world heptathlon record of 7,291 points. She continues to hold the Olympic and national records in the long jump and her 1994 performance in the long jump remains the second longest in history.

In addition to heptathlon and long jump, Jackie was a world class 100m and 200m runner and, after a decorated All-American career in basketball at UCLA, she eventually played professional basketball for a short time. Jackie’s athletic accomplishments have been well documented and remain some of the best ever across all of sports. Less well know are her tireless efforts and remarkable accomplishments off the field as a philanthropist and an advocate for children’s education, health issues (in particular asthma from which she has suffered through- out her life), racial equality, social reform and women’s rights.

Born in 1962, in East St. Louis, IL, Jackie came from very humble beginnings but despite the at times, very strained conditions she describes her early home life as being full of love, principle and discipline. These ingrained values have served Jackie well both on and off the field through her life. She has been described by the sports media as one of the warmest, most even-tempered, grace- filled persons in all of athletics.

One of four children to Mary and Alfred Joyner, Jackie’s older brother Al went on to become an Olympic Champion triple jumper and married Florence Griffith (Joyner), a five time Olympic medalist. In 1986 she married her long time coach, Bob Kersee.

Jackie is the author of both A Kind of Grace (1997), her autobiography, and A Woman’s Place is Everywhere. She is an active professional speaker and is widely considered one of the most inspiring motivational speakers in all of sports. Jackie speaks on topics of athletics, business success, living with the limitations of medical issues, nutrition, women’s issue and youth advocacy.

 
 
Read More

Videos

Request Availability

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

The Power of Caring: The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Youth Center Foundation

This speaker tailors this topic for each event. Please let us know if you'd like us to source a topic description.

Asthma All-Star: Jackie Joyner-Kersee

This speaker tailors this topic for each event. Please let us know if you'd like us to source a topic description.

Jackie's Gold Medal Faith: Running the Race with Grace & Humility On & Off the Track

This speaker tailors this topic for each event. Please let us know if you'd like us to source a topic description.

Blog Posts

Cultivating a Confidence Mindset and Go From Chaos to Triumph

Transform chaos into strategic success with a confident mindset—insights from mindset keynote speaker Andrew Busch.

Read More

The Power of Love: How Connection and Communication Drive Success

Love is more than romance—it’s about communication, growth, and connection. Discover how they drive success in your relationships and in life.

Read More

Motivational Speakers for Youth Empowerment: Inspiring the Next Generation

Fueling the Fire of Youth Empowerment Looking for the best motivational speakers for youth empowerment? We've got some great keynote speakers for you. In a world where young people face unprecedented challenges—social media pressures, economic...

Read More

Top Financial Speakers: Navigating Finance with Wisdom and Heart

Redefining Wealth Beyond Numbers: The Role of Top Financial Speakers In a world where the tumultuous tides of economic change challenge our every anchor, understanding finance transcends mere balance sheets and stock portfolios. It becomes a dance—a rhythm...

Read More

Creating a Loyal & Unified Team That Thrives Together

Build a loyal team that works together with insights from leadership expert Dennis Snow on customer experience.

Read More

The Power of Vulnerability: How True Leaders Build Trust and Growth

How embracing vulnerability leads to personal and professional growth, as leadership expert Rashmi Airan shares insights on building trust and resilience.

Read More

Related Speakers

Reviews & Ratings

Here's how toHit the mark with the perfect speaker!

1. Schedule a call

We’ll connect so we understand your needs to curate a selection of great speakers.

2. Book your speaker

We’ll manage all the details so you will be confident with your choice.

3. Wow your audience

Inform & educate your participants to ideas that transform their work & personal life.

Schedule a Call

Blog Posts

 

Cultivating a Confidence Mindset and Go From Chaos to Triumph

In today’s volatile environment, how can leaders transform chaos into a strategic advantage? The answer...

Read More

The Power of Love: How Connection and Communication Drive Success

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about love, chocolates and flowers—it’s about the relationships that define our...

Read More

Motivational Speakers for Youth Empowerment: Inspiring the Next Generation

Fueling the Fire of Youth Empowerment Looking for the best motivational speakers for youth empowerment?...

Read More

Top Financial Speakers: Navigating Finance with Wisdom and Heart

Redefining Wealth Beyond Numbers: The Role of Top Financial Speakers In a world where the...

Read More

Creating a Loyal & Unified Team That Thrives Together

What if your team’s service could be as magical as Disney’s, where employees feel valued...

Read More

The Power of Vulnerability: How True Leaders Build Trust and Growth

Struggling to create an open, transparent atmosphere within your teams? Trust might not be the...

Read More